Aeroplane



Feb. 9 1926. 1,572,767

I J.UCCOMNNI AEROPLANE Filed Sept. 4, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTQR WITNESS- MW A RNEY Feb. 9,1926. 1,572,767

.J. CICCOIANNI AERO PLANE Filed Sept 1 W925 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 9 1926.

1,572,787 J. CICCOIANNI AEROPLANE Filed Sept. 4, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I, 4; i r

a; 66 ,7 I g x Jamaa /5 (52'? 77272" INVENTQR WITNESS:

ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 9, 1926.

JOSEPH CICCOIANNI, OF SHOCK, lPENNSYLVANIA.

AEROPLANE.

Application filed September 4, 1925.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH GIGOOIANNI, a citizen of Italy, residing at Smock, in the county of Fayette and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Aeroplanes, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide an aeroplane, equipped with a propeller of .usual type, with an additional propeller, to be mounted on a vertical shaft and controlled by clutch mechanism, so that this propeller may be thrown into operation whenever required, for the purpose of ascending or landing.

A further object is to provide a plurality of wind screens, shields or curtains, between the upper and lower planes of the machine, and movable prependicularly of the planes, these screens when lowered being adapted to check the forward movement of the aeroplane and render possible a quick landing without a long glide.

A further object is to provide a plurality of spring controlled and manually controlled curtains which may be employed in connection with the additional propeller, for slowing down the machine or causing it to virtually stop at the moment the forward movement is discontinued and the upward or downward movement begins.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of elements described, illustrated and claimed, it being understood that modifications may be made within the scope of the claimes without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view of the machine in side elevation,

Figure 2 is a View in front elevation.

Figure 3 is a section on line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail view constituting a section on line 44 of Figure 2.

In Figure 1 a somewhat conventional type of machine is illustrated, the body portion being designated 10, the main propeller being shown at 11, and the rotor being designated 12. A rear runner 13 serves an obvious purpose, and forward wheels 14 may also be referred to incidentally.

Upper and lower planes 15 and 16 have the relation illustrated, and between these Serial No. 54,523.

planes are suitable vertical supporting devices 17.

A vertical shaft 20 mounts and drives a propeller 21, and carries on the lower end thereof a gear wheel 22 meshing with gear wheel 23 on a shaft carrying a conventional type of clutch element such as 24. A slidable clutch element is designated 25, and is operated by means of yoke 26 carried by arm 27 pivoted at 28 and controlled by connecting rod 29. This rod 29 is connected at 30 with hand operating lever 31 pivoted at 32, lever 32 being within convenient reach of the drivers seat. The shaft 20 driving clutch element 25 is driven by a suitable motor not shown, although a portion of the housing is designated 33.

Between the planes 15 and 16 are diagonal tie rods or the like illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 and designated 35 and 36, and between the forward edges of the planes I mount the particular shields or wind screens forming an important element or elements of the present construction. These devices may also be termed curtains, and one screen or curtain is mounted on each side of the central portion of the machine, the curtains being designated 37 and 38 in Figure 2. These curtains operate on upper spring rollers 39 which are mounted in brackets 40, and the curtains or screens are controlled by means of cords or ropes 41 and 42 passing over pulleys 43 and 44 carried by shaft 45 mounted at 46 and 47 at a point adjacent to the lower plane 16. The shaft 45 extends the full length of plane 16 and carries a sprocket wheel 46 actuated by means of a chain 47 passing over sprocket wheel 48 rigid with reference to hand wheel 49 located in a position convenient to the aviator and through which he is enabled to control the position of the curtains or wind screens. When the aviator desires to check the forward movement of the plant and to ascend or descend, he moves the wind screens into operative position, so that at the proper moment the upper propeller may be started, through the operation of hand lever 31, and the machine may be brought momentarily to a virtual stop at the beginning of the ascending or descending movement,

In order that the wind screens may maintain an adjusted position as determined by the position of hand wheel 49, I provide the guiding devices shown in detail in Figure 4 wherein a. rod 50 extends outwardly from the edge portion of the screen 37, and this rod 50 carries an eye member 51 designed to encircle the vertical rod 52 positioned as shown in Figure 2, it being understood that rods 52 are provided at the outer edges of each wind screen.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

1. In a machine 01 the class described, a main structure including upper and lower planes, driving means for said machine, a plurality of wind screens movable vertically between the planes and on opposite sides of the central portion thereof, the screens being movable in the same vertical plane and being spaced apart at the central portion of the machine, means for guiding the screens in their vertical movement, and means for shifting the screens.

2. In a machine of the class described, a main structure including upper and lower planes, driving means for said machine, a plurality of wind screens movable vertically between the planes and on opposite sides of the central portion thereof, the screens being movable in the same vertical plane and being spaced apart at the central portion of the machine, means for independently guiding the screens in their vertical movement, means for shifting the screens, said means last named including spring operated and manu ally operated devices.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

JOSEPH CICCOIANN I. 

